Deer Rubs are a common deer scouting sign, sought by big game hunters. They are not difficult to spot in woods with fairly good sized deer populations. Male deer, called bucks, rub their forehead and antlers against the base of a tree and create an abrasion on the trunk of the tree.

Why do male deer create deer rubs?

In the late summer and fall, the male deer are usually rubbing the velvet off of their newly acquired antler growth. If the deer rub occurs later in the deer season, during the rut for example, it can be a sign of an aggressive buck strengthening his neck muscles or marking his territory. The area between the forehead and antlers of the deer contains a large number of apocrine sweat glands. These glands are very active during the rut. The scent left by these glands on the deer rub is a way of communicating a challenge to other male deer in the area.

Rub Size and Frequency

Generally speaking, the bigger the buck, the bigger the rub. Sometimes the same trees or bushes will be used multiple times and sometimes random rubs will mark a buck's territory.

Female Deer Rubs

Female deer, or does, have been observed rubbing their forehead glands on rubs already left by male deer. The exact reason or communication is not known.

Reference

• Deer Hunting Tips

External Links

• Example Pictures of Deer Rubs